Key Result Areas

Child/Youth Engagement and Preparation

Assess the youth’s present ability to participate in the Family Search and Engagement (FSE) process and develop a support plan for introducing family search activities to the youth. Utilize the Darla Henry 3-5-7 Model of approaching trauma, loss and grief issues with the child/youth in relation to out-of-home placement and preparing for permanency. Introduce FSE to the youth and explore youth’s known family network and identify potential family members or natural supports to search for. Complete an ecomap, genogram, lifeline, family tree, or other visual diagrams with the youth to assist in identifying potential family or other potential natural support resources.

Family Search

Conduct intensive case file review to identify immediate and extended family members for contact. Utilize internet search engines to research lost family contacts. Conducts monthly family outreach searches using search platforms to help reconnect youth with family. Throughout the search process, follow agency guidelines to assure for due diligence regarding confidentiality and securing contact authorization, releases of information, and court orders. Thoroughly document search findings and keep the youth, intensive permanence team and supervisor informed about search progress. Initiate family member or natural supports (adult) engagement activities immediately upon identification of whereabouts of a family or natural support resource (adult). Utilize the Six Steps to Find a Family: A Practice Guide to Family Search and Engagement (FSE) to guide the entire family search process.

Engagement 

 Develop an individualized engagement plan for how each identified adult will re-connect with the youth to support his/her permanency efforts. Utilize agency guidelines to assess each adult in regard to screening for safety of the youth and the motivation and level of commitment of the adult. Educate adult regarding treatment and social needs that effect foster youth and the adverse impact to the youth. The IPS worker will inform the adult about the lack of follow-through of the natural supports (adult) who pledge to initiate or re-initiate contact. Educate adult regarding the purpose of the intensive permanence team and invite the adult to join the team. Communicate with the youth regarding progress in the family and natural supports search process, and prepare the youth for initial contacts, including establishing structure and boundaries for the supervised initial contact (phone, letter, visit, email, etc.) and subsequent contacts. Provide opportunities for the youth, family members, natural support adult and foster family to discuss their impressions and feelings regarding the contact of the youth and adult. Maintain up-to-date documentation of the FSE process for the youth. Research, establish and review formal and informal resources for youth and family members to support permanency.

Permanency Planning and Decision-making 

 Assist the youth’s intensive permanence team in exploring and evaluating permanency options for the youth. Communicate with the youth regarding progress in the family and natural supports search process. Develop and review primary and contingency plans for permanency options for the youth. Explore the legal issues regarding reunification, adoption, kingap (subsidize guardianship) and, relational permanency (unsubsidized guardianship).

Aftercare Monitoring

Contact with the client post discharge will occur monthly (for 6 months) by phone or email (in person as needed) to support sustained outcomes and model good relational skills and maintenance of connections with caring adults. Provide 6 months of follow up with clients to help ensure sustained outcomes Be a source for providing a connection to additional resources that can support sustained outcomes. Make referrals to counselors and therapists and other professionals, if needed.

 Intensive Case Coordination/External Relations

 Initiate, develop and maintain relationship with stakeholder with the jurisdiction to ensure positive working relations and maximize collaboration and service delivery. Conduct weekly 15-minute contacts with partners to discuss progress and status of youth connections activities. Offer and provide informational sessions to stakeholders as an overview of Family Connections and the Family Search and Engagement (FSE) model. Actively listen and probe for quality feedback on SCO Family of Services from service consumers (youth), County and stakeholders. Actively listen and probe for unmet needs which might possibly be met by current or potential IPS program and services. Report contacts and findings to designated leaders within the agency. Maintain positive public conduct and record consistent with SCO Family of Services image in the community.

Quality Outcomes

Implement continuous quality improvement plans and processes including quality assurance reviews and data collection, analysis of reports to ensure compliance with agency continuous quality improvement (CQI) standards, contracts, and state laws. Assist in oversight of case record-keeping and quality practices/processes. Review and evaluate the satisfaction surveys and program outcomes quarterly, with staff involvement, in order to identify areas for improvement and ensure quality programs and consumer satisfaction. Monitor progress towards program goals and identify ways to continuously improve agency performance towards goals. Record and report case data utilizing the Youth Connections Scale and other evaluative tools and participate in all required program evaluation processes. Participate in mandatory case consultation with IPS team for an average of 2 hours weekly.

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field required, Master’s Degree in social work or related field preferred. Mental Health Counselor Limited Permit (clinical hours provided for MHC-LP only). Current applicable license/certification or the ability to become licensed/certified preferred. Significant experience in child welfare service system (3 or more years) required.  Experience in foster care, adoptions and/or family-based services preferred. Preferred two to three (2-3) years of work experience providing clinical services in a mental health or residential setting for youth and children. Experience working with youth and children exposed to trauma and understanding of the needs of the LGBTQAI+ youth population. Demonstrated experience with outreach and community relations.  Establishes permanency and treatment goals for children and youth, utilizing historical and current available information in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team. Strong community organizing skills and ability to build inter-agency and intra-agency partnerships. Fluency in computer software applications required, including Microsoft Office and web-based applications. Excellent public relations skills with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing with diverse individuals and groups. Strong organizational, planning and coordination skills. Ability to mediate, manage conflict and perform successful negotiations. Ability to work collaboratively with agency staff and other key stakeholders. Ability to work well independently. Strong interpersonal and cognitive skills in analysis, assessment, creative and critical thinking, problem solving and decision making. Knowledge of and skill in group facilitation. Demonstrated knowledge and ability to work effectively with children and youth with special needs and their families. Sensitivity and competency in relating to individuals and groups of diverse cultural backgrounds. High level of computer competency in Windows environment required and familiarity with search engines and search technology preferred. Familiarity with Medicaid billing preferred via Children Family Treatment Services (CFTSS) i.e. OLP, CPST, PSR billing Completes all required documentation, including but not limited to session notes, treatment plans, psychosocial summaries, billing documentation, and client correspondence. Must be able to work full-time Valid Driver’s License, auto insurance, reliable transportation and ability to travel. Ability to drive during day and evening hours to various geographic areas. Complete mandated reporter training Compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations to include NYSED guidance.